Ringing in 2008 with New Year's Rockport Eve

Friday

Dec 28, 2007 at 12:01 AMDec 28, 2007 at 8:44 AM

As 2007 comes to a close, Rockport residents are breaking out their party hats and noise makers to celebrate the New Year with the town’s biggest party of the year: New Year’s Rockport Eve. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. and doesn’t stop until midnight, when the ball of light will drop in Dock Square. In between, there will be continuous entertainment with 84 shows to choose from.

Stephanie Silverstein

As 2007 comes to a close, Rockport residents are breaking out their party hats and noise makers to celebrate the New Year with the town’s biggest party of the year: New Year’s Rockport Eve.

The party kicks off at 6 p.m. and doesn’t stop until midnight, when the ball of light will drop in Dock Square. In between, there will be continuous entertainment with 84 shows to choose from.

The celebration is packed full of activities for children and adults, music of all kinds, and many different shows. Some of the children’s events include clowns, puppets, magic, and a ventriloquist.

Musical performances

The musical performances this year include classical, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, country and western, folk, blues, songs of the sea and more.

New this year are musical performances by Beatle Tracks, the Jolly Rogues, and Livin’ on Luck.

Beatle Tracks will perform a rendition of Beatles songs at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with 45-minute shows starting at 8, 9, 10, and 11 p.m. There will be audience interaction with Beatle’s Trivia.

The Jolly Rogues will perform 18th and 19th century seafaring songs at Ellen’s Harborside Restaurant at 6 and 7 p.m. The material includes period commemorative, tavern and drinking, romantic ballads, sea shanties, children’s ditties, and songs of revolt.

Livin’ on Luck will play classic rock with a classical music twist at the Congregational Church Hall at 10 and 11 p.m. Franklin said cellist Ellen Watters “puts a little rock ‘n’ roll into her classical cello training.” She said they will perform a lot of oldies and a lot of new pieces, as well.

Free events

A New Year’s Rockport Eve button is required for most events, but some are free. The New Year’s Rockport Eve Express will offer free mini-train rides at the library from 6 to 10 p.m.

Franklin said this is one of the most popular events of the night. “They love it,” she said.

Each ride fits 12 to 18 children or adults.

At Spiran Hall, the New Year’s Rockport Eve Headquarters, there will be psychic readings. Stone readings, tarot readings, and palmistry, numerology and the tarot will all be available. Franklin said the lines can be long, but the Spiran Hall Coffee House is at the same location, so people can purchase hot dogs, clam chowder, and chili, as well as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate among other snacks and drinks.

Buttons required for most events

To be a part of the celebration, a New Year’s Rockport Eve 2007 button is required for most events. The cost is $15 for adults, $6 for ages 4 to 12, and children 3 and younger are free and do not need a button.

The buttons are available now at the following locations in Rockport: John Tarr Store, Rockport Chamber of Commerce, Smith Hardware and Lumber at the Lumber Desk, and Toad Hall Bookstore. Buttons are also available in Gloucester, at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the House of Raven, Gloucester Music, and MaDaLins.

Buttons will also be sold at the headquarters, Spiran Hall, on New Year’s Eve beginning at noon.

Franklin said she is still looking for volunteers to help with the celebration. To volunteer, contact Franklin through the New Year’s Rockport Eve web site at www.newyearsrockporteve.com or by telephone at 978-546-9038.